Shelley Long The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents 02:26 Tabs Who talks about this person James BurrowsView Interview James Burrows on casting Cheers Les CharlesView Interview Glen and Les Charles on casting Ted Danson and Shelley Long as the leads on Cheers Glen and Les Charles on how "Sam" and "Diane" (Ted Danson and Shelley Long) worked together on Cheers Glen and Les Charles on Shelley Long's decision to leave Cheers and how her departure affected the show Glen CharlesView Interview Glen and Les Charles on casting Ted Danson and Shelley Long as the leads on Cheers Glen and Les Charles on how "Sam" and "Diane" (Ted Danson and Shelley Long) worked together on Cheers Glen and Les Charles on Shelley Long's decision to leave Cheers and how her departure affected the show Richard FrankView Interview Richard Frank on Shelley Long's departure from Cheers David IsaacsView Interview Ken Levine and David Isaacs on writing for "Sam Malone," played by Ted Danson ,and "Diane Chambers," played by Shelley Long, on Cheers David LeeView Interview David Lee on writing the character "Diane Chambers" on Cheers David Lee on Shelley Long as "Diane Chambers" on Cheers Ken LevineView Interview Ken Levine and David Isaacs on writing for "Sam Malone," played by Ted Danson ,and "Diane Chambers," played by Shelley Long, on Cheers Warren LittlefieldView Interview Warren Littlefield on replacing Shelley Long as "Diane" with Kirstie Alley as "Rebecca" on Cheers Lori OpendenView Interview Lori Openden on Shelley Long's departure from Cheers and Kirstie Alley joining the show Jane PauleyView Interview Jane Pauley on competing against Shelley Long in speech and debate